Cumulus Support

I'm seeing several "model" references regarding Fine Offset units. Can someone advise what Fine Offset model I purchased from an eBay provider? Clearly rebranded...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWNX:IT

Thanks!

Scott

Looks like a WH1081

See http://www.foshk.com/Weather_Professional/WH1081.htm

It has the radio time set and looks like solar charging.....does it give a Lux figure?

Can't remember which way they are...radio = 1080 I think or derivative for solar.

Here in the netherlands it is sold as an Alecto WS 4000 however that model does not have the solar extras.

http://www.alecto.info/TradePoint/Item_ ... No=WS-4000

Looks like a WH-1080 (radio controlled clock) with an added solar cell.

The laptop looks a little like a Toshiba 13.3" Satellite Pro

Mine is a WS-1081. Doesn't have the solar panel or the radio clock (a feature not required in Australia).
They have one at Jaycar on sale for AU$149 with the solar panel. I got mine for $99 (badged as Sinometer).
I've never actually seen one that said Fine Offset!

I plan to mount this on a tri-masted antenna installation. Three masts, the middle being the tallest. Tallest will have a 2m ham radio stick on it. The other mast will have a scanner antenna, an the third will have the weather station.

Anyone believe that the 2m antenna will interfere with the weather station? Will be xmitting on 144.39 (APRS for those who may recognize that freq!)

WS should be here Thursday. I'll post some pics.

Scott

Hi Scott,

Well, turbulent air from the middle mast might make the wind vane even more "lively" than usual.

You haven't said what frequency the unit uses (I'd expect 915MHz in the USA) or how much ERP you're planning to transmit. But the outdoor unit is only a transmitter (not a receiver) so I wouldn't expect problems with the wireless link (unless you're very unlucky with harmonics).

However, the sensor electronics are very elementary, with an Analogue/Digital converter ramp (it uses current to time conversion) applied directly to the (wind vane) sensor cable. The standard cables are not screened, nor even twisted pairs, so you may have RFI issues. There are several threads about problems with electric fences, so suitable filters may need to be applied to the cables (I won't attempt to suggest exactly what type of filtering might be best, or necessary).

Cheers, Alan.

I'll never use more than 5 watts of power for the foreseeable future. I could put the weather station on the higher of the masts but then I create a maintenece issue for myself if I ever have to get at the instruments. I plan to do a remote battery case. Howerver, how often should I expect to fingerpoke the sensors? Spider webs, bugs, leaves, etc?

Hi Scott,

It might be wise to check the RFI immunity at ground level before installing everything. The wind direction is only reported every 48 seconds and may be further averaged in software, so the oscillation of the vane is not too serious (hence the smiley). However, the wind sensors should ideally be above roof and tree level, they use sealed reed switches and captive cables so shouldn't need much maintenance. A few people have reported bearing failures (perhaps due to inadequate lubrication at manufacture) and poor solder joints; there are threads on how to dismantle these units if you want to check them before installation.

Many rain sensors have been troubled by spiders but the recent version has smaller drain holes. However, ideally this sensor should not be mounted high on a mast because high winds can cause false detection, or simply disturb the rain being collected.

If mounted on the mast, the temperature/transmitter unit really needs better isolation from direct sunlight than the supplied screen, and for better reliability, all connections (including any batteries) protected against damp and corrosion.

Cheers, Alan.

I may actually do that - good idea. I'll do a dry run and set it up just outside and see how it runs.

As far as the bearings go, I can easily source good bearings and replace them from the start. Easier now I bet when it's new.

http://www.bocabearings.com/

I get bearings from here for use in RC motors and helicopters. Good stuff and he has everything.

If I had true line of sight (as in look out the windown and it's 50 ft away), would that be good? If so then I'll mount this on the back of my garage and leave the antennas on the house. It would look cool all together but I'd be the only admirer I bet. Well, something to fool with on the weekend.

Was 93F here today in upstate NY. Ugggg

AllyCat wrote:Hi Scott,

It might be wise to check the RFI immunity at ground level before installing everything. The wind direction is only reported every 48 seconds and may be further averaged in software, so the oscillation of the vane is not too serious (hence the smiley). However, the wind sensors should ideally be above roof and tree level, they use sealed reed switches and captive cables so shouldn't need much maintenance. A few people have reported bearing failures (perhaps due to inadequate lubrication at manufacture) and poor solder joints; there are threads on how to dismantle these units if you want to check them before installation.

Many rain sensors have been troubled by spiders but the recent version has smaller drain holes. However, ideally this sensor should not be mounted high on a mast because high winds can cause false detection, or simply disturb the rain being collected.

If mounted on the mast, the temperature/transmitter unit really needs better isolation from direct sunlight than the supplied screen, and for better reliability, all connections (including any batteries) protected against damp and corrosion.

Cheers, Alan.

Hi Scott,

The bearings are a "push fit" into the plastic mouldings, so maybe risky to change unless essential. They're not heavily loaded, so ensuring that some grease is present might be sufficient (but they are made in China ). See all of this thread for some details (my wind vane contribution is on page 4).

The wireless link should easily work over 50 feet line-of-sight, assuming no sources of radio interference. But for "accurate" wind measurements, these sensors may need to be mounted quite high. There's lots of practical advice on this forum about "improving" the FO sensors and their best locations, etc., but it's sometimes hard to find the relevant threads.

Cheers, Alan.